How do you connect a monitor to this old Mac laptop?

December 13, 2024 9:29 AM

Laptop: MBP 17” Early 2011, has: Gigabit Ethernet port; FireWire 800 port; 3 x USB 2.0 ports; Thunderbolt port; Audio in & out. Monitor: LG 29 UM58-P LED monitor, has 2 HDMI ports. I tried an HDMI to USB 2 converter, didn’t work.

Do I need a different adapter/cable?

posted by cotton dress sock to Computers & Internet (9 answers total)

Best answer: https://support.apple.com/en-us/112418

If this is correct, looks like you need to use the Thunderbolt/Mini-DP port.
posted by Teadog at 9:44 AM on December 13, 2024 [2 favorites]

Best answer: The HDMI to USB might work but you probably need to install drivers.

You probably want a Thunderbolt to HDMI, which apple makes/used to make. I'd try one of the $10 ones you can get from ebay/amazon/etc.
posted by gregr at 9:46 AM on December 13, 2024 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Specifically you want a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cable. Per the Apple spec page:
“HDMI audio and video output using a third-party Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter”
posted by sriracha at 10:01 AM on December 13, 2024 [2 favorites]

Best answer: You want this adapter to convert the Thunderbolt port to an HDMI port.
posted by eschatfische at 10:08 AM on December 13, 2024 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: At 60 or 30 Hz?
posted by cotton dress sock at 10:38 AM on December 13, 2024

Best answer: The 2011 MBP can't deliver 4K to that Amazon adapter regardless of whether it's the 30hz or 60hz version - the 2011 MBP output is 2560x1600 at most - but spending just a few extra dollars for the 60hz adapter is likely preferable.
posted by eschatfische at 10:44 AM on December 13, 2024 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I don't know anyone who would choose to do 30 Hz. It's really slow. There's a qualitative difference between 30 Hz where it feels like you are dragging the cursor around to 60 Hz where it feels like the cursor is simply mirroring your movements. Spend the extra $5 if that's the issue.
posted by wnissen at 10:48 AM on December 13, 2024 [1 favorite]

Might be annoying to find one now, but I used a Thunderbolt 1 dock with my 2012 MBP that had an HDMI out port.

Here's one from Matrox on eBay for under $30 (missing the wall wart).

I think the one I had was made by CalDigit.
posted by snuffleupagus at 3:40 PM on December 13, 2024 [1 favorite]

Since a lot of the docks on ebay seem to be missing their power supplies, a note that with items like this you can use any power supply with:

(1) a plug that fits physically,
(2) is the same output voltage -- 12V for that Matrox, and
(3) at least the same or more amps --2A or more, here, and
(4) matching polarity (the little diagram that tells you which part of the plug is positive and negative).

12V is common, but 2A is more current than a lot of devices draw. (You can use a supply good for more amps, but not less.)

That said, 12V @ 2A was fairly common in older networking gear so you might even have a usable wall wart around if you hold on to such things. An example.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:31 PM on December 13, 2024 [1 favorite]